Celiac Policies Around The World

The countries listed have official government policies protecting people with celiac disease and those who must eat a gluten-free diet.

Argentina

Argentina recently implemented its “National Program for the Detection and Control of Celiac Disease.” The program not only promotes awareness and knowledge regarding celiac disease, it also implemented an impressive array of labelling restrictions and created a national logo for all certified-GF packaged foods. For residents, Argentinian health care providers must cover the cost of alternative flours and gluten-free mixes.

Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand have the toughest labeling laws in the world; these have been set by the Australia New Zealand Food Standard’s Code and apply to all food sold or prepared for sale, including imported food. The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code require the following:

Foods labeled as “gluten free” must not contain any detectable gluten; and no oats or their products; or cereals containing gluten that have used malt or their products.

Ingredients derived from gluten containing grains must be declared on the food label, however small the amount.

Foods labeled as “low gluten” must contain less than 200 parts per million of gluten. Australia does not have a very large range of low gluten foods and be aware low gluten foods are not recommended for a gluten free diet.

Canada

Canada has labeling restrictions on all packaged gluten-free foods. All foods considered certified gluten-free by Health Canada must contain under 20 parts per million of gluten. Any intentionally added gluten-containing ingredient must be listed on a product. In addition, Canadian residents receive tax deductions for the extra cost of gluten free foods versus their non-gluten free counterparts.

Based on the enhanced labeling regulations for allergens and gluten sources, any intentionally added gluten sources, even at low levels (e.g. wheat flour as a component in a seasoning mixture which makes up a small proportion of the final food), must be declared either in the list or ingredients or in a “Contains” statement.

European Union

The European Union has adopted universal labeling laws for gluten free food. If the food contains less than 100 mg/kg, it may be labeled “very low gluten,” while if it contains less than 20 mg/kg it may be labeled “gluten-free.”

Changes to food labeling have now been in place since December 2014. They help provide allergen ingredient information in a clearer and more consistent way. For example, any of the 14 allergens that are on the regulatory list are to be emphasized on the label of a pre-packaged food if they are used in ingredients.

Ireland

Irish citizens may claim tax deductions for the extra cost of gluten free foods versus their non-gluten free counterparts. Ireland used to have a program that entitled some celiacs to specific gluten-free foods free of charge. However, the program has been discontinued.

Italy

All Italians are tested for celiac disease at an early age (by 6). Each Italian citizen over the age of 10 with celiac disease receives a monthly stipend of 140 euros, which can be spent on specific gluten-free foods (regulated by the Ministry of Health). Italians with celiac disease also receive extra vacation time to shop/prepare GF food. The Italian Celiac Association and government have done an excellent job educating restaurants on how to deal with celiac disease. There are even gluten-free meals in schools, hospitals, and all other public eating establishments.

United Kingdom

Over 90% of British celiac patients receive gluten-free food as part of their prescription for the gluten-free diet. Essentially these patients receive gluten free food and mixes at a heavily discounted price (the cost of the prescription).

Marilyn’s Message

Relatively Rare. Relatively Minor. Relatively Easy to Treat. For more than 50 years, the celiac community has been led to believe that the above statements about the disease were true. We – those of us who live with the disease or who took care of someone with the disease – knew, however, that managing celiac disease […]

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Medical information provided on this site has been prepared by medical professionals and reviewed by Celiac Disease Foundation's Medical Advisory Board for accuracy. Information contained on this site should only be used with the advice of your physician or health care professional.